He just had to glance above the TV set every day at a picture on his wall.

As Arfield began moving his belongings out of his Huddersfield base for the move to Glasgow, an image of a close encounter with his midfield idol had to be taken down and packed neatly into a box.

The snap was Gerrard as a Liverpool midfielder crashing through a challenge on him during his Burnley days on Boxing Day 2014.

Arfield is proud of the picture and smiled: “It was at Turf Moor. I’m sure it was Raheem Sterling that scored.

“The same game happened the following year and he (Sterling) scored again, but I don’t think Steven played in that one.

“I recall it and I was given a picture of it afterwards.

Steven Gerrard came up against Graham Dorrans in the Premier League as well

“The picture was up in the house. I’ve actually just taken it down because I knew I was moving.

“He was tackling me and I was jumping out of the way!

“Playing against him was one of the highlights of my career. I hope to soak up as much as I can from him.”

Now, as opposed to being in opposition, the pair are as one trying to spark a Rangers revival.

And, although the picture might be over four years old now and Gerrard’s boots have been replaced by a pair of brown brogues, Arfield has no doubts that his new gaffer’s competitive fires will burn just as brightly.

Scott Arfield (Image: Daily Record)

Gerrard’s arrival has cemented Arfield’s decision because, make no mistake, it was a big one.

At the age of 29, he had just helped Burnley into the Europa League under after an amazing season under the expert guidance of boss Sean Dyche.

The Turf Moor gaffer has been a huge influence on Arfield’s career. Believed in him when others wouldn’t and there must have been a temptation to stay and continue the relationship.

Ironically, the pair could meet again in the summer qualifiers with Rangers also in the Europa and he laughed: “It would be unbelievable, wouldn’t it?

“I feel it is inevitable. It is one of those things in football. It is the only profession where you think these things are going to happen.

“First of all, though, we have to get that through that first tie when it comes around.

“But if it happens? They probably thought they had seen the back of me, but I’ll be back waving a few weeks later.

(Image: SNS Group)

“Sean Dyche’s influence was really the faith he showed in me. Probably the only manager who had done that before was John Hughes as my three Huddersfield managers never really did that for me.

“I never felt as if I had a full run of games, but as soon as I went through the door at Burnley, he knew what I could bring to the team.

“He got me to a place where I could just go and do all of my thinking on the pitch and let the football speak for itself.

“Thankfully and luckily, I was joining a team that suited my abilities. It was more of a combative team, more togetherness between the boys, and everyone was on the same page. By that I mean from the fans to the staff to the players.

“It was an environment that fully suited me, so I would say that Sean Dyche changed my life for the better.

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“But this was more attractive for me. Growing up around these parts, you know how big a club this is.

“I wanted to come back up and I am at a club where I feel things can only go one way.”

While there was obvious joy at the signing, there is also emotion.

Rangers’ new boy is hoping that SPFL chiefs rubber-stamp a request to wear the No.37 shirt at Ibrox, just as he did for four years at Burnley in memory of lost friend Craig Gowans.

Arfield was a team-mate of the former Falkirk youth player when he was tragically killed at their training ground in 2005, aged just 17.

The Ibrox capture has cleared the choice with Gowans’ family and he said: “I spoke to Craig’s family, his siblings and his mum and dad. They were ecstatic that I still want to take that on.

“It is something that means a lot to me and my family.

Arfield will never forget his close pal Craig (Image: SNS Group)

“I feel as if when I wear it there is a sentimental factor that kind of gives you a peace of mind. You feel as if your mate is looking down and you are carrying on things not just for you, but also Craig’s legacy as well as his family.

“It was Craig’s squad number when we came through and broke into the first team. I was 31 and he was 37.

“I couldn’t do it at Huddersfield, but when I went to Burnley, I thought: This is the time.

“Thankfully, we got to a level in the Premier League that’s shown everywhere across the globe, so that number got a prominent position around the world.

“Everyone knows why I wore it. Squad numbers mean a lot to certain players and some don’t to others. Certainly, that one means a lot to me.”